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ABU DHABI //More than 23 events will be held on Yas Island in the second half of the year as efforts are focused on attracting more local visitors.

Management aims to draw people of all ages with events that include Harry Potter in Concert, Cartoon Network Live, Circus 1903 and a stand-up comedy show featuring Trevor Noah.

With support from the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority, the island is expecting to see a 10 per cent increase in visitor numbers this year as compared to 2016, according to Gerardo Llanes, executive director of Destination Management, Yas Island for Miral Asset Management.

“Many of the events we added this year are unique and exclusive to the UAE, the Harry Potter live in concert will be the first time in the GCC and we also have the famous comedian Trevor Noah with a debut Abu Dhabi performance,” Mr Llanes said.

“We have added something for everybody, family entertainment, kids attractions and a few shows for adults too because we want to cater to all ages and backgrounds.

“We have people from Dubai coming to Yas Island too, because we want to make sure they don’t just come in for an event, but have the whole experience, a staycation of sorts because local visitors are as important to us as international numbers,” Mr Llanes said.

The line-up for this year includes Harry Potter in Concert, where viewers will watch the first film of the franchise, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, on a 40-foot high definition screen with a symphony orchestra performing music throughout, from 21-23 September.

Cartoon Network Live! will debut its show in the UAE from October 11 to 14.

Circus 1903 will make its GCC debut on Yas Island from November 29 to December 2.

And African comedian and host of the The Daily Show on Comedy Central, Trevor Noah will perform in Abu Dhabi for the first time as part of his Around the World! international tour on December 15 at the du Forum.

Mohammed Abdulla Al Zaabi, chief executive of Miral, said he hoped this year’s line-up would also attract international visitors.

“Yas Island has become a major player in the entertainment and events industry. With the impressive line-up of artists, shows and performances we have coming up in the next six months, Yas Island looks forward to welcoming visitors from far and wide to discover the very best of Emirati hospitality,” Mr Al Zaabi said.

“This is undoubtedly Yas Island’s most impressive events programme to date,” he said.